Monthly Archives: May 2017

In our tourist area, most regulars are very familiar with all the attractions in Gatlinburg, and things to do in Pigeon Forge. But we find that many are far less familiar with our county seat city, Sevierville, Tennessee. Home to many locals, it is a destination in its own right. Here is just a starter list of locations to shop, eat, explore, and play in Sevierville.

Once you have rested in your Smokies cabin rental, it’s time to go forth and shop! Have you forgotten anything? All the necessary suburban sprawl chains are available for your needs: grocery stores, Walmart, Lowe’s/Home Depot, Bass ProShops, Orvis, Party City, and more are close by, with several being added quite recently.
For fun time shopping, start first by choosing from the 100+ brands located at Tanger Five Oaks Outlet Center. You can get your entire fix in one location!
For non-chain experiences, consider the Apple Barn Cider Mill and General Store for gifts, home items, souvenirs, bakery goods and ice cream treats, just for starters. Smoky Mountain Knifeworks is also a worthy, interesting stop.

After power buying, you must be hungry. Three local eateries downtown serve both locals and tourists alike. Courthouse Donuts is a half block from the Dolly Parton statue anyway, so indulge in their delicious homemade custom orbs, and pick up lunch while you are there too.
Healthy Balance is two blocks away if you desire freshly prepared fare that is both tasty and nutritious. They can even provide prepared meals that you can tote back to your Sevierville rental cabin for a made from scratch solution to dinner.
If you prefer laid back, comfortable place for a nice dinner, try the Southern fare at Bistro 109. They will take good care of you.

Explore and have fun learning at these three locations: Tennessee Museum of Aviation is a great spot for those who enjoy airplanes and military history. Floyd Garrett’s Muscle Car Museum is the ultimate place to reminisce about revving those engines with a private collection of 90 vehicles. You can even go down under at Forbidden Caverns, an always cool, 58 degree place to take a guided cave tour in the midst of a steamy summer day. Add these three together, and it is guaranteed you will learn and see some things you have never encountered.

Now let’s play! If you want to relax and watch a great game, get in on the season at Tennessee Smokies Baseball Stadium, just off exit 407 at Interstate I-40. The Smokies are a minor league farm team for the Chicago Cubs. Always a great evening out, the games even finish with fireworks on Friday nights.Burn off some boundless child energy, or even test your own athleticism at Sevier Air Trampoline and Ninja Warrior Park. This almost 40,000 square foot adventure park has ninja warrior courses to climb and hang from, in addition to the traditional trampoline and dodgeball venues. Determine the true warriors in your crowd.
Want to get on the water? Douglas Lake is a 30,000 acre recreation area just a couple of miles off our main thoroughfares. Rent a boat at Douglas Lake Marina, or just lay on the public swim beach at Douglas Dam Headwater Campground. Visit the Douglas Dam Scenic Overlook for an unmatched mountain vista over the water. Douglas Dam was constructed by the Tennessee Valley Authority as part of their watershed for hydroelectric production. You can also walk right up to the dam and observe the underwater turbines in action when water is being spilled into the French Broad River below.

I have only scratched the surface of Sevierville with some ideas to get you started. Do not overlook these opportunities to add more shopping, eating, exploring, and play to your next visit to Volunteer Cabin Rentals. Let us help you find places you have never been!